Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
7959
Company Name
Wilex Cocoa
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
Samoa
Region
East Asia and the Pacific
Last Updated Date
Dec 31, 2016
Environmental Category
FI
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : Feb 23, 1995
Invested : May 22, 1997
Sector
Other Food
Industry
Agribusiness and Forestry
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Asia & Pac
Project Description
- 2 -
International Finance Corporation
A Member of the World Bank Group
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name Western Samoa - Wilex Cocoa
Region Asia
Sector General Manufacturing
Project No. 7959
1. This project involves expanding the operations of Wilex Cocoa and Coconut Products Ltd. into the production of cocoa butter and cocoa mass. Building requirements will include additional construction, installation of utilities and further storage. Plant purchases will include a cocoa butter press, cocoa press filter, grinder for grinding cocoa cake, chocolate foil wrapping machine, a refiner/conche; piping, pumps and a cocoa butter storage tank. This is a category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because a limited number of specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria.
2. Key environmental and occupational health and safety issues that were of potential concern during IFC’s environmental review of this project included:
· land use;
· water supply;
· air emissions;
· liquid effluent treatment and disposal;
· solid waste disposal;
· pesticide handling and application;
· fire prevention; and
· employee exposure to noise and dust.
The following is a brief summary of IFC’s findings during its environmental review of the project. Primary sources of information included information on design specifications and environmental management procedures provided by the project sponsor.
3. This project is an expansion of an existing building at the company’s existing site in Apia, Western Samoa. No change in land use or development of unused land is involved. The building meets all existing local government requirements. An environmental impact assessment was carried out in 1994 as part of a previous application for financing. Local village leaders are reported to be in support of this manufacturing facility.
4. Raw cocoa beans are purchased locally from Samoan suppliers or are imported. The company has no current plans to establish any cocoa plantations as part of this project.
5. Water use at the facility is minor and is limited to washing and domestic use. Waste water and sanitary waste is discharged to a septic system on site. Waste from the manufacturing process itself is limited to cocoa bean shells, which are all sold locally for use as a soil amendment and fertilizer.
6. The only air emissions from the plant are the exhaust fumes from a small diesel-fired roaster which consumes approximately one litter of fuel per hour and is within the size and heating capacity limits specified in the World Bank guidelines. The roaster is currently operated an average of two hours per day, and this use can be expected to increase to up to 16 hours per day in year nine of the project as throughput increases due to the new equipment and facilities. Some odor from the roasting cocoa beans is generated and vented to the atmosphere. The plant machinery produces little noise and is not audible from outside the building. Limited noise and dust is generated by the winnowing and grinding machinery and will be within prescribed limits.
4. As factory turnover increases and larger quantities of beans are stored on site, there may be a need for pesticide application to control cocoa weevils. A pyrethrum-based pesticide will be used, and staff will be specially trained in its handling and application. Very small amounts of hydrochloric acid and petroleum ether are used in laboratory testing and these are properly stored and handled by trained technicians to minimize danger.
5. Fire prevention measures include extinguishers located throughout the plant. A fire prevention and safety training program is provided for all staff, including fire-fighting, first aid and factory hygiene. Regular fire drills are held. Other safety precautions include shielding of moving parts on machinery, grounding of electrical equipment and provision of protective clothing for use in required areas.
6. On the basis of this review, the Environment Division has concluded that this project will comply with both local environmental regulations and relevant World Bank environmental and health and safety guidelines. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating environmental performance reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.
International Finance Corporation
A Member of the World Bank Group
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name Western Samoa - Wilex Cocoa
Region Asia
Sector General Manufacturing
Project No. 7959
December 24, 1996
1. This project involves expanding the operations of Wilex Cocoa and Coconut Products Ltd. into the production of cocoa butter and cocoa mass. Building requirements will include additional construction, installation of utilities and further storage. Plant purchases will include a cocoa butter press, cocoa press filter, grinder for grinding cocoa cake, chocolate foil wrapping machine, a refiner/conche; piping, pumps and a cocoa butter storage tank. This is a category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because a limited number of specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria.
2. Key environmental and occupational health and safety issues that were of potential concern during IFC’s environmental review of this project included:
· land use;
· water supply;
· air emissions;
· liquid effluent treatment and disposal;
· solid waste disposal;
· pesticide handling and application;
· fire prevention; and
· employee exposure to noise and dust.
The following is a brief summary of IFC’s findings during its environmental review of the project. Primary sources of information included information on design specifications and environmental management procedures provided by the project sponsor.
3. This project is an expansion of an existing building at the company’s existing site in Apia, Western Samoa. No change in land use or development of unused land is involved. The building meets all existing local government requirements. An environmental impact assessment was carried out in 1994 as part of a previous application for financing. Local village leaders are reported to be in support of this manufacturing facility.
4. Raw cocoa beans are purchased locally from Samoan suppliers or are imported. The company has no current plans to establish any cocoa plantations as part of this project.
5. Water use at the facility is minor and is limited to washing and domestic use. Waste water and sanitary waste is discharged to a septic system on site. Waste from the manufacturing process itself is limited to cocoa bean shells, which are all sold locally for use as a soil amendment and fertilizer.
6. The only air emissions from the plant are the exhaust fumes from a small diesel-fired roaster which consumes approximately one litter of fuel per hour and is within the size and heating capacity limits specified in the World Bank guidelines. The roaster is currently operated an average of two hours per day, and this use can be expected to increase to up to 16 hours per day in year nine of the project as throughput increases due to the new equipment and facilities. Some odor from the roasting cocoa beans is generated and vented to the atmosphere. The plant machinery produces little noise and is not audible from outside the building. Limited noise and dust is generated by the winnowing and grinding machinery and will be within prescribed limits.
4. As factory turnover increases and larger quantities of beans are stored on site, there may be a need for pesticide application to control cocoa weevils. A pyrethrum-based pesticide will be used, and staff will be specially trained in its handling and application. Very small amounts of hydrochloric acid and petroleum ether are used in laboratory testing and these are properly stored and handled by trained technicians to minimize danger.
5. Fire prevention measures include extinguishers located throughout the plant. A fire prevention and safety training program is provided for all staff, including fire-fighting, first aid and factory hygiene. Regular fire drills are held. Other safety precautions include shielding of moving parts on machinery, grounding of electrical equipment and provision of protective clothing for use in required areas.
6. On the basis of this review, the Environment Division has concluded that this project will comply with both local environmental regulations and relevant World Bank environmental and health and safety guidelines. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating environmental performance reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
Related SII
